title: Prospective study of the effect on gait of a two-component total ankle replacement.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional outcome as measured by prospective gait analysis of patients undergoing total ankle arthroplasty using a 2-component Salto Talaris total ankle prostheses with a fixed polyethylene bearing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one patients with severe ankle arthritis who underwent unilateral total ankle arthroplasty using a 2-component Salto Talaris device with a fixed polyethylene bearing were studied prospectively. Mean age was 69 years in 16 female and 5 male patients, and mean follow-up was 37.2 (range, 24-50) months. Three-dimensional gait analysis was performed using a 12-camera digital-motion capture system preoperatively and repeated at a minimum of 2 years postoperatively. Temporospatial measurements included velocity, cadence, step length, and support times. Measured kinematic parameters included sagittal plane range of motion of the ankle, knee, and hip. Kinetic parameters included sagittal plane ankle power and ankle plantarflexion moment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was significant improvement in temporospatial parameters, including step length (P = .014) and walking velocity, which increased from 0.9 to 1 m/s (P = .01). Kinematic results showed sagittal plane range of motion of the ankle increased significantly from a mean of 15.8 degrees preoperatively to 20.6 degrees (P = .00005) postoperatively with the increase occurring primarily in dorsiflexion. Kinetic results showed ankle peak power increased from a mean of 0.7 Nm/kg to 1.1 Nm/kg (P = .004).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A prospective study of gait in patients undergoing total ankle arthroplasty using a 2-component Salto Talaris device with a fixed polyethylene bearing showed, at midterm follow-up, significant improvements in multiple parameters of gait when compared to the patients' own preoperative function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV, prospective case series.
authors.affiliation: Daegu Veterans hospital, Daegu City, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Hyuck
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Scott C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.forename: Shay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tenenbaum
authors.forename: Fabian E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Polo
authors.forename: James W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Brodsky
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000502:physiology; D001168:Arthritis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D058737:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Ankle / Q000295:instrumentation*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Salto; ankle arthritis; ankle replacement; gait studies; total ankle arthroplasty